Bennett Funeral Service

Mary Kathleen "Kae" Edwards, 86, passed away, surrounded by loved ones, at her home in Hickory, North Carolina on Friday March 15th, 2024. Kae was born in Dubuque, Iowa on April 17, 1937, to Larry and Ann (Norton) Dillon. She acquired her knowledge and love of caring for others as the second oldest of 10 children in the Dillon family. She graduated from the Academy of the Visitation in Dubuque, IA, then later, as a nontraditional student, obtained her Associate's Degree in Child Development from MATC in Madison, WI. Kathleen spent her life in service to others. She was an advocate for the rights of women and children. She established and housed the first licensed foster program in...

Wendell Gene Sigmon, 79, of Newton, passed away on Monday October 26, 2020 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He was born August 3, 1941 in Catawba County to the late Wendell Osborne Sigmon and Ada Lee McCall Sigmon. Gene graduated from Bandy's High School as an outstanding three sport varsity athlete as well as an academic scholar. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a football scholarship. His senior year, as captain of the football team, he led the Tarheels to victory in the 1963 Gator Bowl. Gene graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law and returned to Catawba County to raise his family and practice law. He served briefly as District Court...

Frank Smith Burgess, age 90, of Denver, NC, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Atrium Health in Charlotte. He was born May 13, 1930 in Catawba County to the late Benjamin Smith Burgess and Nellie Throneburg. Frank was a man of faith and hard work. He was a member of Westport Baptist Church in Denver, NC, where he was baptized at the age of 84. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and served 14 years (1954-1968) as a Charlotte Police officer. In 1970, Frank founded Burgess Sales & Supply, Inc. located in Charlotte, NC. With the help of his wife and three sons, it grew and developed into the successful business it is today. After retiring as the company's President...